Pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus.



M. L. EMERSON. PNEUMATIC DESPA'I'GH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 6, 1911.

1,1 07,661. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

3 SKEET$-SHEET l.

THE NORRIS PI-TI'ERS CO4, PHDTU-LIYHOW WASHINGTUN. Dv Cv M. L. EMERSON. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

1,107,661. APPLIOATION IILBD mm. a, 1011. Patented Aug. 18, 1914 a Du N a R k [i N 1 a a: ix J HIE NORRIS PErERs 50.. PIIOTO-LITNQ. WASHING 70M. 0 C

NITE 1: S ;liiTENT OFFICE- MERTON I1. EMERSON, OF BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN PNEUMATIC SERVICE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PNEUMATIC-DESPATCH-TUBE APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be, it known that I, MEn'roN L. EMERSON, of llraintree, in the county of Norfolk and tltate of illassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic-Despatch-'lube Apparatl'ls of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic dcspatch' tube apparatus and especially to blower unloading devices for use in connection therewith.

The object of this invention is to load and unload the blower intermittently, that is, to allow the blower to run free and when it is desired to load the same, to automatically throw it into comnn'lnication with the load; in pneumatic tube systems cn'lploying my invention, when it is desired to despatch carriers the blower is thrown into communication with the transit tube and after a pre determined interval after the insertion of the last carrier, the blower is automatically thrown out of cmnnmnication with the system and allowed to run free.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my device connected to a pneumatic tube system. through which carriers are transmitted by compressed air, with the parts in the position when the blower is running free and no carriers are being transmitted. Fig. 2 is a detail view in section showing the position of the timing device when the blower is running loaded, that is, when carriers are being transmitted through the system.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the form of apparatus shown in the drawings, A represents the sender located at each end of the line, which consists of a loop line of tubing A extending between two stations.

A. an electric switch at each sender which may be operated by the insertion of a carrier into the sender for transmission, or by hand if desired.

The electric motor 13 is adapted to operate the compressor C which is provided with a check valve C at the intake which allows Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December (5)1911.

Patented Aug. 18 1914.

Serial No. 664,147.

air to flow in but prevents its escape. The pipe C leads from compressor C to the line of tubing A and near the compressor is connected the pipe C" which leads from pipe (1" to the air storage tank I); this pipe has a check valve C which allows pressure to accumulate .in the tank I) but prevents its return to the COITIPI'OSSOI.

()n the switch board I is mounted the timing mechanism F.

(1 represents the main feed wires running to the motor B.

II ll. are auxiliary electric circuits which control the timing mechanism.

A carrier to be despatchcd is placed in the senderA and momentarily closes the switch A as it passes over it thereby closing the auxiliary circuits II II and causing :the plunger F in the solenoid .T to be drawn upwardly; this movement opensthe valve i (see Fig. 2) and permits the air supply in the storage tank I) to pass through pipe l to the bottom of the cylinder F. The compressed air then forces the floating piston F" to the top of the cylinder F as the space above the piston F" is open to the at mosphcre through the vent F Below the piston I is a valve casing F containing the piston valve I and spring F this piston valve 1* controls the flow of compressed air from the pipe F to the pipe J or to the pipe K. lhc stem F extends into the bot tom of the cylinder F in such a way that when the floating piston F is at its lowest position, the piston valve F is pushed down against the spring F thereby closing communication between the pipe F and the pipe K (see Fig. 1) so that air cannot pass from pipe F into pipe K, but passes from pipe F to pipe J into the valve casing K forcing up piston Z; and bringing the pistons 7c 7 (carried by piston rod K into the position shown in Fig. 1; at the same time, compressed air from the tank 1) passes by the pipe K into the pipe K and through the bottom of the valve casing K and port L into the bottom of cylinder L lifting the piston L to its upper position as shown in Fig. l with the gate If in its upper position so that the blower C communicates directly with the atmosphere through the passage L thus shortcircuiting the How of air and unloading the blower.

As the circuit is momentarily closed, as explained above, and the piston 11 is raised. to the position shown in Fig. 2, piston valve F moves to the position shown in Fig. 2 under the influence of spring F so that the pipe J is cut off from the pipe F and compressed air passes by the pipe K to the top of the valve 'asing K and acting upon the piston 7.: drives the same downwardly with the pistons in" k as shown in Fig. 2 and compressed air passes through the pipe K from the tank I) into the valve casing K through port L to the top of cylinder L driving piston If downwardly and closing the gate L as shown in Fig. 2 and thereby cutting cit the blower from communication with the atmosphere.

The drop of the piston F is regulated in speed by the controlling valve P communicating with the atmosphere, so that for long lines, the valve P is set so that the air escapes to the atmosphere slowly, while for short lines, the valve is set so that the air escapes more rapidly. The opening of the gate L so as to throw the blower into communication with the atmosphere, is thus regulated for diliierent lengths of lines, that is, the gate L opens and the blower is thrown into communication with the atmosphere and allowed to run free after the lapse of a predetermined interval after the insertion of the last carrier.

M is an exhaust pipe to the atmosphere.

lVhen the blower is unloaded or running free, the amount of current used is at a minimum, but when carriers are inserted into the tube lines and the air switched through the tube line or lines for driving the carriers, the resistance or load is increased with a proportionate increase of power in the current until the air current is automatically switched and the load is removed from the blower reducing the power again to the minimum.

The operation of despatching carriers is identical at both. ends.

I do not limit myself to the arrangement and construction shown as the same may be.

varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a substantially constantly-operating blower or pump for compressing air and normally communicating with the atmos' phere, a conduit, means for switching said blower or pump into operative communication with said conduit, and co-acting means, independent of the travel of the carrier, for

automatically switching said blower or pump from operative communication with said conduit to the atmosphere.

2. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a substantially constantly-operating blower or pump for compressing air and normally communicating with the atmosphere, a conduit, means for switching said blower or pump into operative communication with said conduit, means for automatically switching said blower or pump from operative communication with said conduit to the atmosphere, and means for timing the period of communication of said blower or pump with said conduit.

3. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of carriers, a substantially constantly-operating blower or pump for compressing air, means normally connecting the said blower or pump with the atmosphere, means for switching a portion at least of said atmospheric connection into operative communication with said transmission tube to establish a current of compressed air through said tube for transmitting carriers, and means co-acting with said last mentioned means and independent of the travel of the carrier for automatically switching back said current of air to the atmosphere.

4-. In a pneumatic despatch tube. apparatus, a tube for the transmission of carriers, a substantially constantly-operating blower or pump for compressed air, means normally connecting said blower or pump with the atmosphere, means for switching a portion at least of said connecting means into communication with said transmission tube to establish a current of air through said tube for transmitting carriers, and means for automatically throwing said blower into communication with the atmosphere after a predetermined interval.

5. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of carriers, a substantially constantlyoperating blower or pump for compressed air, a conduit or connection between said blower or pump and said transmission tube provided with an outlet to the atmosphere, means normally permitting the flow of air from said blower through said outlet, and compressed air actuated means, substantially independent of the How of air through said conduit, for closing said outlet during a predetermined interval of time to establish a current of compressed air through said transmission tube for driving carriers there-- throu gh.

6. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of carriers, said tube having a plurality of sta ticns, a substantially constantly-operating blower or pump for compressed air, a conduit or connection. between said blower or therethrough, means opening said alr-outlet and short-circultmg pump and said transmission tube provided with a normally open outlet to the atmosphere through which air from said blower may llow, means tor closing said outlet to establish a current of compressed air through said transmission tube for driving carriers therethrough, and means independent of said stations for automatically opening said air-outlet and short-circuiting the current of air after a predetermined interval.

7. In. a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of carriers, a substantially constantly-operat1ng blower or pump for compressed air, a conduit or connection between said blower or pump and said transmission tube provided with an outlet to the atmosphere, means normally permitting the flow of air from sald blower through said outlet, means for closing said outlet to establish a current of compressed air through said transmission tube for driving carriers therethrough, and power actuated timed means for the opening of said air outlet and the short-circuiting of said air current, said last mentioned means being substantially independent of the air flowing through said tube.

8. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a tube for the transmission of carriers, a constantly-operating blower or pump or compressed. air, a conduit or connection between said blower or pump and said transmission tube provided with an outlet to the atmosphere, means normally permitting the How of air from said blower through said outlet, means for closing said outlet to establish a current of compressed air through said transmission tube for driving carriers for automatically the current of air after a predetermined interval, power actuated means for timing the How of air, through said tube, and means for :45istol'illg power to actuate said timing means.

9. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a conduit system comprising a transmission tube having a plurality of stations. continuously driven, means for creating a flow o'l com 'n'essed air through said transmission tube for transmitting carriers therethrough, normally operative means for short circuiting said flow of air, and co-acting timing means for retarding actuation of said short circuiting means, whereby to normally insure a carrier-transmitting flow of air through said transmission tube for a predetermined interval of time, connections for rendering said timing means operative by compressed air and co-acting means for starting said timing means from any one of said. plurality of stations.

10. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a conduit system comprising a trans mission tube, means for creating a flow of air through said transmission tube for trans mitting carriers therethrough, normally operative means for short circuiting said flow ot air, and co-acting timing means for re tard'ing actuation of said short circuiting means, said timing means adapted to be retimed for each successive carrier transmitted without materially all'ecting the progress of a carrier already in course of transit through said tube.

11. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a conduit system con'iprising a transmission tube provided with a receiving part at which a carrier may be introduced, means for creating a flow of air through said transmission tube :t'or transmitting carriers therethrough from said receiving part, means for normally short circuiting said flow of air when the transmission tube is idle, co-acting timing means, operated by compressed air, for maintaining said short circuiting moans substantially inoperative for at least an interval of. time su'tiicient for the normal transmission of a carrier a determined distance through said tube, a reservoir for the compressed air for operating said timing means, and means, a portion of which is disposed adjacent said receiving part, for retiming said timing means.

12. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a conduit system comprising a transmission tube having a plurality oil stations, means for creating a How of compressed air through said transmission tube for transmitting carriers thercl'hrough, normally operative means :for short circuiting said flow of air, co-acting timing means for retarding actuation of said short circniting means, said timing means adapted to be re-timed for each carrier transmitted, and means for re timing said timing means from any one of said plurality of stations.

13. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a conduit system comprising a trans mission tube, means for creating a flow of compressed air through said transmission tube "For transn'iitting carriers thertahrough, normally operative means for short circuit ing said flow ol air, (co-acting timing means, movable independently of said short circuit mg means, for retardii'lg actuation of the latter, said timing means adapted to be retimed for each carrier transmitted, and means a portion of which is adapted to be actuated by a carrier upon the insertion of the latter into the transmission tube :for retiming said timing means.

14. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a conduit system comprising a transmission tube having a plurality of stations, means for creating a flow of compressed air through said tube for transmitting carriers therethrough, means for short circuiting said flow of air after the lapse of an interval of time su'flicient for the normal transmum:

mission of the last of a. plurality of carriers In testimony whereof, I have signed my a determined distance through said tube, name to this specification in the presence 10 said last mentioned means including a timof two subscribing Witnesses, this 29th day ing device movable independently of said of November A. D. 1911.

short cii-ouiting means and adapted to be re- MERTON L. EMERSON. timed While in operation, and means, a porlVitnesses:

tion of which is at each of said plurality of F. P. IRISH,

stations, for re-timing said timing means. S. B. PITMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 

